System for resolving distressed shipments

ABSTRACT

A cooperative system and an associated method are provided for resolving a distressed shipment during transport by a carrier, where the distressed shipment includes one or more parcels rendered temporarily undeliverable by an exception event while in transit from a shipper to a consignee. The inventive method involves the shipper in the task of contacting the consignee for the additional information necessary to resolve the shipment. The system creates a cooperative of participating shippers and carriers, working together to complete a shipment and thereby avoid the delay and expense associated with a premature or unnecessary return.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/435,493,filed May 9, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,742,928, which is herebyincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Many parcels are not deliverable to the consignee on the first attempt,for a variety of reasons. Undeliverable parcels represent a significantlogistical challenge for the carrier charged with transporting theparcel from the shipper to the consignee. An undeliverable parcel issometimes referred to by a carrier as a delivery exception or adistressed shipment.

The shipper or sender, sometimes called the consignor, typically has noinvolvement in the shipment after the parcel is tendered to the carrierfor delivery. Thus, the shipper may have only one opportunity tocorrectly mark and address the parcel with accurate consignee data.

The carrier often has a limited amount of information about theconsignee, including only the consignee address in most cases. Manyfreight carriers have developed rules for processing a distressedshipment, typically including a number of delivery attempts followed byan intermediate holding period during which the consignee may retrievethe shipment. For the consignee or intended recipient, finding andcollecting a temporarily undeliverable parcel requires time and effort.

For the shipper, the burden of accepting returned parcels can beenormously expensive and time-consuming. Returns require as much or moreprocessing than preparing a shipment for delivery. Returned merchandisemust be examined for quality, re-stocked and re-shelved, or otherwiseprocessed. The burden on the shipper may develop into a total loss ofthe merchandise, especially for customized or built-to-order goods.

Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved system and method ofhandling and resolving distressed shipments in order to minimize thecost of returns and maximize the number of shipments that can be savedand ultimately delivered.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by the present invention, whichgenerally provides a method for resolving a distressed shipment duringtransport by a carrier, the distressed shipment comprising one or moreparcels rendered temporarily undeliverable by an exception event whilein transit from a shipper to a consignee. The method includes detectingthe exception event, communicating the exception event to the shipper,holding the distressed shipment during a finite intervention timewindow, the shipper contacting the consignee and receiving a consigneeinstruction, communicating the consignee instruction to the carrier, andcompleting the transport in accordance with the consignee instruction.

The step of communicating the consignee instruction to the carrier maybe performed by the consignee. The method may also include, as part ofthe step of detecting the exception event, receiving an exception codefrom a driver attempting delivery of the shipment, and assigning acarrier code from a plurality of carrier codes, the carrier codecorrelated to the exception code. The step of communicating theexception event to the shipper may also include communicating thecarrier code.

The method may further include assigning a unique intervention timewindow to the distressed shipment. In the method, where the finiteintervention time window is defined by a capture time and a releasetime, the step of holding the distressed shipment further may furtherinclude recording the capture time when the step of holding begins,calculating the release time, monitoring a current time, and releasingthe shipment for return to the shipper when the current time is laterthan the release time. In this aspect, the step of communicating theexception event to the shipper may also include communicating thecapture time.

In the step of receiving a consignee instruction, the method may furtherinclude assigning a resolution code from a plurality of resolutioncodes, the resolution code correlated to the consignee instruction. Inthis aspect, the step of communicating a consignee instruction mayfurther include communicating the resolution code.

The method step of holding the parcel may further include storing theparcel in a primary trap. Holding the parcel may also include storingthe parcel in a secondary trap selected from one or more secondarytraps.

The step of completing the transport may further include accepting acapture fee from the shipper.

The method may also include providing a viewer application accessiblevia the Internet by the shipper, the carrier, and the service provider.The viewer application may be configured to display informationconcerning the distressed shipment. The method may also includeproviding a resolution application accessible via the Internet by theshipper, the carrier, and the service provider. The resolutionapplication may be in communication with the viewer application and maybe configured to receive the resolution code from the shipper. In thisaspect, the information may include the exception code and the carriercode. The information may also include the resolution code, and aresolution text message associated with the resolution code.

In another aspect, the present invention generally provides acooperative system for resolving a distressed shipment during transport,the distressed shipment characterized by one or more parcels bound for aconsignee and rendered undeliverable by an exception event. Thecooperative system may include at least one shipper of the one or moreparcels, a carrier in communication with the shipper, the carrier toreceive the one or more parcels from the shipper, attempt delivery tothe consignee, and record the exception event, and a primary trap forholding the distressed shipment during a finite intervention timewindow, the time window having sufficient duration to allow the shipperto contact the consignee and receive a consignee instruction, thecarrier to complete the transport in accordance with the consigneeinstruction.

The system may also include a network of communication links between andamong the shipper, the carrier, and the consignee. In the system, thecarrier may capture the distressed shipment and deposit the shipmentinto the primary trap.

The system may also include a service provider for monitoring a currentdelivery status of the one or more parcels, communicating the currentdelivery status to the shipper and the carrier, and communicating theconsignee instruction to the carrier. The cooperative system may begoverned by an agreement between the shipper and the carrier. Where thecarrier completes the transport in exchange for a capture fee, it mayact in accordance with the agreement.

The cooperative system may also include a viewer application accessiblevia the Internet by the shipper, the carrier, and the service provider,the viewer application configured to display information concerning thedistressed shipment; and a resolution application accessible via theInternet by the shipper, the carrier, and the service provider, theresolution application in communication with the viewer application andconfigured to receive the consignee instruction.

In another aspect, the present invention also generally provides anelectronic distressed shipments resolution system, each of thedistressed shipments comprising one or more parcels rendered temporarilyundeliverable by an exception event while in transit from a shipper to aconsignee. The electronic system may include a viewer applicationresiding on a central processor, the viewer application configured todisplay a current table of the distressed shipments, the current tablecomprising a list associated with each of the distressed shipments, thelist comprising a unique identifier field. The electronic system mayalso include a resolution application residing on the central processor,in communication with the viewer application, the resolution applicationconfigured to receive an input from a user selecting a certaindistressed shipment from the current table, receive a resolution codefrom the user for the certain distressed shipment, and store theresolution code in a record associated with the certain distressedshipment.

The electronic system may be configured to electronically send therecord to a carrier in possession of the selected distressed shipment.The list may also include a capture date field, a capture time field,and an exception code field. The viewer application may be furtherconfigured to sort the current table in order of a sort field selectedfrom the fields in the list. The user may be the shipper. In theelectronic system, the resolution code may be selected from a pluralityof resolution codes, the resolution code correlated to a consigneeinstruction.

The viewer application and the resolution application may be configuredto communicate electronically over a network. The resolution applicationmay be configured to send the resolution code to the carrier via theInternet, via the World Wide Web, or via electronic mail.

These and other objects are accomplished by the system and methoddisclosed and will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals designate like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to thefollowing description, taken with the accompanying drawing figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the participating entities andfacilities used in the system, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart describing the general process of a parcel fromtender to resolution, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the various communication links between andamong the facilities and the entities participating in the system,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the various communication links in thesystem connected by the Internet, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a first block diagram of a system according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a second block diagram of a system according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a processing server according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a web page displaying information presentedby a distressed shipment viewer application, according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are illustrations of web pages displaying additionalinformation presented by a distressed shipment viewer application,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a web page configured to receive inputfrom a user into an online resolution application, according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present inventionmay be embodied as a method, a data processing system, or a computerprogram product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form ofan entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or anembodiment combining both software and hardware aspects. Furthermore,the present invention may take the form of a computer program product ona computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program codemeans embodied in the storage medium. More particularly, the presentinvention may take the form of web-implemented computer software. Anysuitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including harddisks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a chartillustrating the physical facilities and the participating entities inthe system 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thesystem 10 contemplates participation by one or more shippers 20 using acarrier 30 to ship one or more parcels to a plurality of consignees 100.The chart in FIG. 1 is divided generally into four rows, with each rowcontaining an aspect of each participant. The parcel shipment processgenerally proceeds from left to right.

A shipper 20 generally includes a location or facility 22 and a customerservice center 24. Participating shippers 20 may include manufacturers,distributors, packers, retailers, third- or fourth-party logisticsproviders, and other entities with a shipping need. Likewise, shippingfacilities 22 may include factories, distribution centers, warehouses,and other types of locations. The customer center 24 includes personneland equipment for processing orders, shipments, returns, and othercustomer service requests. The customer center 24 may include a largestaff or it may be only one person. The customer center 24 may becomponent of the shipping company or, alternatively, it may be operatedby a separate company hired to serve the shipper's customers.

The carrier 30, as shown in FIG. 1, may include a regional hub 35surrounded by a plurality of local hubs 31. Although a hub-and-spokearrangement is shown, the carrier 30 may use any arrangement offacilities particularly suited to its shipping operation. The hublocated closest to the point of origin of a shipment will be referred toas the origin hub 32. Similarly, the local hub located closest to aparcel's destination will be referred to as the destination hub 38. Thecarrier 30 may include a fleet of delivery trucks or package cars 40,each of which may be staffed with a driver 42 and a communication device44.

The destination hub 38 may include a location designated for holdingparcels being held by the system 10 in a primary trap 45. The location,size, and configuration of the primary trap 45 may vary depending uponthe needs of the system 10, as described herein. The primary trap 45 isdescribed as primary because it is generally located close to theconsignee 100, so that the primary trap 45 may be the first place tocapture a distressed parcel 200.

Similarly, the origin hub 32 may include a secondary trap 145, tocapture parcels that are not caught within the primary trap 45. Like theprimary trap 45, the location, size, and configuration of the secondarytrap 145 may vary depending upon the needs of the system 10.

The service provider 50 may be a department or a subsidiary of thecarrier 30, it may be separate business entity, or it may be the carrier30 itself. Generally, the service provider 50 works with the carrier 30and the shipper 20 to coordinate the processing of parcels through thesystem 10. The processing center 52 may be incorporated into one of thecarrier's facilities or it may be located elsewhere.

The intended recipient or consignee 100, as shown in FIG. 1, is locatedat a consignee address 150. The flow of parcel shipments through thesystem 10 of the present invention may take place within the context ofthe facilities and business entities shown. In one aspect of the system10, the participating entities 20, 30, 50, 100 form a cooperative, witheach entity contributing time, labor, information, and/or instructions,to achieve the common goal of completing the shipment of a parcel fromthe facility 22 to the consignee address 150.

Shipment Processing

FIG. 2 is a chart illustrating a series of steps according to oneembodiment of the present invention. As shown, the system 10contemplates participation by one or more of the following: a shipper20, a carrier 30, a service provider 50, and a consignee 100. As in FIG.1, the chart is divided generally into four rows, with each rowcontaining the steps to be taken by each participant, according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the process of the present invention may beginwith a shipper 20 tendering a parcel 200 to a carrier 30 (Step 56). Theparcel 200 may bear a consignee address 150 and a tracking number. In atraditional freight system, the shipper's participation in a shipmentended when the parcel was tendered to a carrier. In the system 10 of thepresent invention, however, the shipper 20 plays a more active role, asdescribed herein.

A tracking number may be assigned to act as a unique identifier for eachparcel 200. When a code, a condition, a status, or anothercharacteristic is described herein as being assigned to or associatedwith a parcel 200, it should be understood that the characteristic maybe linked or tied to the parcel 200 by using its unique tracking number.Similarly, if a second identifier, such as a control number, is appliedto a parcel 200 during its processing, any number of characteristics maybe tied to the parcel 200 by reference to its control number.

If a shipment is completed (i.e., delivered to the consignee) theshipment will generally not enter the system 10 of the presentinvention. The system 10 is generally intended to coordinate theprocessing and handling of a parcel 200 that becomes temporarilyundeliverable for any of a variety of reasons, such as:

-   -   the consignee 100 refuses to accept the shipment;    -   the consignee 100 refuses or declines to pay the cost on        delivery (C.O.D.);    -   the shipment is held for pickup after one or more delivery        attempts, but is never retrieved by the consignee 100;    -   the consignee address 150 is incorrect;    -   the consignee address 150 has been updated, re-directing the        shipment to a new address;    -   the shipper 20 recalls the shipment;    -   the delivery date has been updated, directing the carrier 30 to        delay delivery until a certain date in the future; or    -   any other situation that results in an undeliverable shipment.        An undeliverable shipment is sometimes referred to by a carrier        30 as a distressed shipment or a delivery exception. The        circumstance may be referred to as a delivery exception event        60.        The Delivery Exception Event 60

In operation, the status of the parcel 200 and the particularcircumstances surrounding the delivery exception event 60 arecommunicated to the carrier 30 by the driver 42 handling the parcel 200.The transmission may be accomplished using a handheld device, a wirelessdevice, or another type of communication device 44 including a writtenreport communicated on paper. In one embodiment, the driver 42 uses thedevice 44 to communicate the delivery exception event 60 to the carrier30 immediately.

The delivery exception event 60, as shown in FIG. 2, may includemultiple steps. In one embodiment, the driver 42 assigns an exceptioncode 160 to the parcel, which is based upon the particularcircumstances. The carrier 30 may develop an extensive list of standardexception codes to cover each of the various types of deliveryexceptions that may occur. For example, a certain exception code may becorrelated for an outright refusal by a consignee 100. The exceptioncode 160 is transmitted back to the carrier 30 and/or to the serviceprovider's processing center 52.

The delivery exception event 60 may further include the carrier 30receiving the exception code 160. In one embodiment, the carrier 30selects and assigns a carrier code 300 based upon the exception code160. In practice, the carrier 30 may develop an extensive list ofstandard carrier codes for each of the various types of exception codesthat may be received. As shown by the curved arrows in FIG. 2, thecarrier 30 may transmit the carrier code 300 to the shipper's customerservice center 24 and to the service provider's processing center 52.

Intervention & Hold

When a delivery exception event 60 occurs, the parcel 200 is heldtemporarily in a primary trap 45 (Step 66) while efforts are made towarda resolution of the shipment. In one embodiment, the parcel 200 is helduntil the shipment is resolved or until the expiration of a finiteintervention time window, whichever occurs first. The carrier 30 mayreach an agreement with a particular shipper 20 to hold a distressedparcel 20 for a specific period, such as five business days, after whichthe parcel 20 may be automatically returned to the shipper 20.

The finite intervention time window may be controlled and monitored bythe service provider 50 in cooperation with the carrier 30. In oneembodiment, a capture time including the date is recorded when theparcel 200 enters the primary trap 45. Alternatively, the capture timemay be recorded when the exception code 160 is received. Based upon thecapture time and the known duration of the finite intervention timewindow, a release time may be calculated and stored. The current time ismonitored and periodically compared to the release time. If the shipmentremains unresolved when the current time is later than the release time,the parcel 200 may be released and returned to the shipper 20.

The finite intervention time window may vary depending upon theparticular needs of the participating shipper 20. A shipper 20 ofperishable foods, for example, may require a shorter time window than ashipper 20 of auto parts. In one embodiment, a unique intervention timewindow may be selected by the shipper 20 for a particular parcel 200being shipped. Once selected, the time window may remain associated withthe parcel 200 and its tracking number.

The primary trap 45 does not refer to a specific facility, but ratherindicates a condition of the shipment. For example, if a shipment isquickly resolved and the driver 42 is able to attempt re-delivery duringthe same trip, the primary trap 45 may be a shelf in the delivery truckor package car 40. For longer resolution times, the primary trap 45 maybe an area inside the destination hub 38, such as a cage or a singleshelf. The system 10 may include a large, separate warehouse to act as aprimary trap 45, depending on the expected volume of parcels.

For distressed parcels that are not captured and held in the primarytrap 45, for some reason, the system 10 may include one or moresecondary traps 145. For example, a parcel 200 may be in the process ofbeing transported back to the shipper 20 when it is selected for entryinto the system 10. If the parcel has traveled back through the regionalhub 35, for example, on its way back to the shipper 20, then a secondarytrap 145 closer to the shipper 20 may be provided. As depicted in FIG.1, the secondary trap 145 may be located near or incorporated into theorigin hub 32, near the shipper 20. In use, the secondary trap 145 actsas a backup or substitute trap. For carriers 30 having a specializedarrangement of facilities, it may be advantageous to provide additionalsecondary traps 145 at various key locations.

In addition to holding the parcel 200 in a trap 45, 145 (Step 66, shownin FIG. 2), the carrier 30 may attach a specific label to the parcel 200or assign a control number in order to monitor the status of eachdistressed parcel 200 in the system 10. In one embodiment, the parcel200 is held for a maximum of five business days, after which the parcel200 is returned to the shipper 20 automatically.

Shipper Participation

In one aspect of the inventive system 10, as shown in FIG. 2, theshipper 20 and its customer service center 24 may participate directlyin the processing and attempted resolution of a distressed shipment.Step 62 in practice may involve several discrete steps, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The processing of the carrier code300 by the customer center 24 in Step 62 generally involves receivingthe carrier code 300, interpreting it, and storing it. The customercenter 24 may store the carrier code 300 in a database to provide theshipper 20 with ready access to a variety of information about thedistressed shipments 60 being processed and to assist the customercenter 24 in its operations. For example, certain factors may help thecustomer center 24 prioritize the handling of distressed shipments 60 sothat urgent needs are met first.

In Step 68, the customer center 24 may contact the consignee 100 andinquire about the circumstances of the refusal or other factors causingthe delivery exception event 60. For example, if the consignee 100refused to accept delivery of the parcel 200, the customer center 24 atthis time has the opportunity to communicate directly with its customer(the consignee 100), and determine the circumstances of the refusal. Insome cases, the customer center 24 may offer incentives to the consignee100 to accept the shipment, including additional services or discounts.In this aspect of the system 10, the shipper's existing relationshipwith the consignee 100 is used to facilitate the ultimate delivery ofthe parcel 200. In many ways, the shipper 20 is better suited than thecarrier 30 to communicate with the consignee 100 and resolve theshipment. Participation by the shipper 20 and its customer center 24 atthis phase of the shipment represents a unique approach to solvingdistressed shipments. Typically, the freight carrier 30 would assumecomplete control of the parcel from tender to delivery and, forcircumstances such as refusals, the parcel would simply be returnedimmediately to the shipper 20. The system 10 of the present inventionprevents and avoids the costs associated with immediate returns.

In Step 70, a consignee instruction 110 is provided, which may originatein due course from a conversation with the consignee 100 or it may bereceived by way of the consignee's conduct, such as refusing to answerthe shipper's request for information. The consignee 100 may provide anew address, schedule a particular time to receive the parcel, affirmthe refusal, or respond in any of a variety of other ways. In any event,the consignee instruction 110 is obtained by the shipper's customerservice center 24.

Having received the consignee instruction 110, the customer center 24 inStep 72 can process the consignee instruction 100, which may include thesteps of assigning a resolution code 400 to the parcel 200 andtransmitting the resolution code 400 to the processing center 52 and/orto the carrier 30. The shipper 20, together with the carrier 30 and/orthe service provider 50, may develop an extensive list of standardresolution codes for each of the various types of consignee instructions100 that may be received. For example, the system 10 may include a listof resolution codes instructing the carrier 30 to take certain action.For example:

Resolution Code Action U1 Re-deliver Next Business Day U2 Hold forConsignee Pickup U3 Return to Shipper Immediately U4 Re-deliver to a NewAddress U5 Re-deliver on a Future Date U6 Re-deliver to a CorrectedAddress U7 Continue Hold Until Further Notice

In another aspect of the invention, the resolution code 400 may be usedby the shipper 20 and/or its customer service center 24 to send aninstruction to the carrier. 20 in advance of the first delivery attempt.An immediate recall (using the “U3” resolution code, for example) may beuseful in cases where a parcel 200 is known to be defective, where aconsignee 100 cancels an order that has already shipped, or where theshipper 20 suspects a fraudulent transaction. In this aspect of theinvention, including the shipper 20 as a more active participant in theshipment provides an opportunity for increased communication with thecarrier 20 and a reduction of the delay and expense that often occurswithout such communication.

In a related aspect of the invention, the resolution code 400 may beused by the carrier 30 and/or the service provider 50 to initiate aninstruction at any time, before or after the first delivery attempt. Animmediate recall (using the “U3 Return to Shipper” resolution code, forexample) may be useful in cases where a parcel 200 is damaged in transitand rendered undeliverable. In this aspect, the carrier 30 may speed thereturn process and avoid delivering a damaged parcel 200 to a consignee100.

Resolution

The processing center 52 in Step 74 receives the resolution code 400 forprocessing and, in turn, may transmit the resolution code 400immediately to the carrier 30. In one embodiment, the processing center52 may select and assign a resolution message, correlated to theparticular resolution code 400 received, and transmit the resolutionmessage to the carrier 30 for further action.

The carrier 30 in Step 76 receives and processes the resolution code400, which contains instructions about how to handle the parcel 200(which is being held in the primary trap 45 or one of the secondarytraps 145). The processing in Step 76 may include transmitting theresolution code 400 to a driver 42.

Using information in the resolution code 400, the carrier 30 may nowresolve the shipment either by returning the parcel to the shipper 20(as a Return 85) or attempting another delivery to the consignee 100(which, if successful, is known as a Save 120).

The performance of the system 10 of the present invention may bemeasured in a variety of ways, including keeping track of and reportingthe number of returns 85 and number of saves 120. In one embodiment, theprocessing center generates periodic resolution reports 95 in Step 90.The content of the reports 95 may including the system status, billinginformation, auditing data, or any type of report to fill a businessneed. The content of the reports 95 may govern the payment for the useof the system 10. In one embodiment, the system 10 is asubscription-type service in which a shipper 20 pays a flat fee or a feeper parcel to the service provider 50 and/or the carrier 30 in exchangefor the handling and coordination of services during the distressedshipment process. In another embodiment, the system 10 may be providedto a shipper 20 free of charge, as a value-added service offered by thecarrier 20.

Communication Links

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the communication links between and among thevarious participants in the system 10, in one embodiment of the presentinvention. In one embodiment, three of the main communication links inthe system 10 are the shipper link 26, the consignee link 106, and thecarrier link 36. The shipper link 26 connects the shipper 20 to theservice provider 50. The consignee link 106 connects the shipper 20 tothe consignee 100. The carrier link 36 connects the carrier 30 to theservice provider 50.

In practice, these links 26, 106, 36 may connect to specific facilitiesor locations. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the shipper link 26connects the shipper's customer center 24 to the service provider'sprocessing center 52. The consignee link 106 connects the shipper'scustomer center 24 to the consignee 100. The carrier link 36 connectsthe processing center 52 to the carrier 30.

A remote communication device 44 may be used when the driver 42 is awayfrom the destination hub 38. In one embodiment of the present invention,a wireless communication device 44 may be programmed to transmit thedata necessary to notify the carrier 30 when a distressed shipmentoccurs. This type of data transmission may occur over a driver link 46.

Each communication link described herein may transmit voice, data, orboth, and may be as simple as a telephone connection or, in some cases,in writing. Transmissions may be sent via the Internet, via facsimile,via electronic mail, or transmitted using proprietary networks andsoftware. In one embodiment of the invention, the participants maytransmit data using standard Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) messages.EDI is a set of standards and technologies designed to automate thesending and receiving of routine business documents electronically. Inanother embodiment, Internet-based transmissions may be sent using thefile transfer protocol, extensible markup language (XML), HTML, Java, orby any other web-based language or protocol. The links 26, 106, 36, 46shown in FIG. 3 represent any of these types of communication systems.

The EDI format is used uniformly in a variety of industries, includingthe freight carrier industry. By using the EDI format, shippers andcarriers may communicate specific and detailed information about aparcel being shipped. Each standard EDI transmission may includemultiple segments or lines of data. Each segment contains multipleelements, listed in a particular order. A segment, for example, mayinclude a sequential text file of comma-separated values (CSV), witheach value or field containing data. Some of the standard EDItransmissions include EDI 210 (Freight Invoice), EDI 213 (ShipmentStatus Inquiry), EDI 214 (Shipment Status Report), and EDI 240 (PackageStatus).

Codes

The transmitting and receiving of shipment status data may beaccomplished, in one embodiment, through the use of a series of codesselected to represent the condition of the shipment at a particulartime. Several codes have been described in relation to FIG. 2, includingthe exception code 160, the carrier code 300, and the resolution code400. In one aspect of the invention, the system 10 includes thedevelopment and dissemination of a comprehensive list of codes 160, 300,400, each corresponding to a particular shipment condition orcircumstance.

The system 10 of the present invention, in one embodiment, includes amethod of selecting an appropriate code from the comprehensive list anda process for assigning the code to a particular parcel 200. In oneembodiment, computer-based hardware and software may be developed topresent the list of codes and prompt the user to select and assign theappropriate code. The code may be linked to or otherwise associated witha parcel 200 through the code's relationship to a unique identifier suchas a tracking number. Because the tracking number typically remainsassociate with a specific parcel 200 throughout the delivery process,all codes and other data tied to the tracking number may be readilyaccessed.

Computer databases offer a useful tool when linking together data abouta specific parcel 200. In one embodiment, for example, when a deliveryexception event 60 occurs, the following data is saved to a database:

-   -   the unique tracking number for the parcel 200;    -   the exception code 160;    -   the date and time; and    -   the delivery zip code        in a single database record. The record may include additional        fields to receive and store additional related data, such as the        shipper's order number, the consignee's electronic mail address,        a contact telephone number, or a blank field for text comments.        Database records are easy to maintain, easy to sort, and easy to        share among users. In one embodiment, for example, the various        participating entities in the system 10 may be given        password-protected access to view one or more central databases        containing all relevant data.

The exception code 160 may be selected by a driver 42 when the deliveryexception event 60 occurs. The exception code 160 may be used by thecarrier 30 to select and assign the carrier code 300 associated with theshipment. The carrier code 300 may be transmitted to the shipper 20 inEDI format; for example, as part of an EDI 214 Shipment Status Report oran EDI 240 Package Status report. The carrier code 300 may also betransmitted by voice, via the Internet, via facsimile, via electronicmail, or using proprietary networks and software.

The shipper 20 may use the carrier code 300 to select a correspondingapproach, set of questions, or perhaps a complete text message to besent or spoken to the consignee 100 when inquiring about the shipment.For example, a carrier code 300 indicating a direct refusal by aconsignee 100 may be used by the shipper 20 and/or its customer center24 to select a call script especially prepared for addressing a directrefusal.

The shipper 20 uses the consignee instruction 110 to select and assign aresolution code 400 for the parcel 200. In one embodiment, theresolution code 400 assigned by the shipper 20 may be transmitted to thecarrier 30 as part of a standard EDI 213 Shipment Status Inquiry file.Like the exception code 160 and the carrier code 300, the resolutioncode 400 may also be transmitted by any other effective method,including sending it by telephone, over the Internet, via facsimile, viaelectronic mail, or using proprietary networks and software.

The Online Resolution Tool

In one embodiment, the system 10 includes an Internet-based viewerapplication 250 and a corresponding resolution application 260. Theonline applications coordinate most of the processing steps and datacommunications between the shipper 20, the carrier 30, and the serviceprovider 50.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the Internet 325 as the central hub for thevarious communication links 26, 36, 46, 106, 155 between theparticipants in the system 10, in one embodiment of the presentinvention. The processing link 155 connects the service provider'sprocessing center 52 to the other participants, through the Internet325. In one embodiment, the driver 42 may transmit the exception code160 using a device 44 that connects to the Internet 325 via the driverlink 46.

The present invention is described below with reference to blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatuses (i.e.,systems) and computer program products according to an embodiment of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the block diagramsand flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implementedby computer program instructions. These computer program instructionsmay be loaded onto a general purpose computer, a special purposecomputer, or another programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer orother programmable data processing apparatus create means forimplementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including instruction meansthat implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks.The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport combinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and programinstruction means for performing the specified functions. It will alsobe understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions orsteps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

System Architecture

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a system 10 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. As may be understood from thisfigure, the system 10 includes a shipper computer 25, one or morecomputer networks 230, a web server 225, a processing server 53, and acarrier computer 37. As can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill inthe art, the one or more computer networks 230 facilitate communicationbetween the shipper computer 25, the web server 225, the processingserver 53, and the carrier computer 37. These one or more computernetworks 230 may include any of a variety of types of computer networkssuch as the Internet, a private intranet, a private extranet, a publicswitch telephone network (PSTN), or any other type of network known inthe art.

In an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, the communicationlink between the shipper computer 25 and the web server 225 may beimplemented via the Internet 325 using Internet protocol (IP), and thecommunication links between the web server 225, the processing server53, and the carrier computer 37 may be implemented via a Local AreaNetwork (LAN) 335.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of theprocessing server 53 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The processing server 53includes a central processor 55 that communicates with other elementswithin the processing server 53 via a system interface or bus 261. Alsoincluded in the processing server 53 is a input and display device 264for receiving and displaying data. This input and display device 264 maybe, for example, a keyboard or pointing device that is used incombination with a monitor. The processing server 53 further includesmemory 266, which preferably includes both read-only memory (ROM) 265and random access memory (RAM) 267. The server's ROM 265 is used tostore a basic input/output system 226 (BIOS), containing the basicroutines that help to transfer information between elements within theprocessing server 53.

In addition, the processing server 53 includes at least one storagedevice 263, such as a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a CD Romdrive, or optical disk drive, for storing information on variouscomputer-readable media, such as a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk,or a CD-ROM disk. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in theart, each of these storage devices 263 is connected to the system bus261 by an appropriate interface. The storage devices 263 and theirassociated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage. It isimportant to note that the computer-readable media described above couldbe replaced by any other type of computer-readable media known in theart. Such media include, for example, magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards, digital video disks, and Bernoulli cartridges.

A number of program modules may be stored by the various storage devicesand within RAM 267. Such program modules include an operating system280, a viewer application 250 and a resolution application 260. Theviewer application 250 and the resolution application 260 controlcertain aspects of the operation of the processing server 53, as isdescribed in more detail below, with the assistance of the centralprocessor 55 and the operating system 280.

Also located within the processing server 53 is a network interface 274,for interfacing and communicating with other elements of a computernetwork. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art thatone or more of the processing server 53 components may be locatedgeographically remotely from other processing server 53 components.Furthermore, one or more of the components may be combined, andadditional components performing functions described herein may beincluded in the processing server 53.

Viewer Application 250

The distressed shipment viewer application 250 may display summaryinformation of all active, unresolved shipments for a particular shipper20. A shipper 20 may be provided with a password-protected login, togain access to the viewer application 250.

In one embodiment, the summary information is gleaned from the incomingcarrier code 300, which may be transmitted by the carrier 30 in EDIformat. For example, an incoming EDI 240 Package Status report mayinclude a sequential text file of comma-separated values, with eachvalue or field containing data. The viewer application 250 may parse thetext file, select the component values needed for display, and storethose selected values in a database table. For example, an EDI 240message containing forty-five separate field values may be reduced,through the parsing process, to five critical field values for insertioninto a smaller database table.

The user interface for the viewer application 250 may present the datain a tabular format, as shown in FIG. 8, displaying a Daily Summary tab,a Distressed tab, and a Resolution tab. In one embodiment, the viewerapplication 250 tables may be sorted on any field. The underlinedsummary values may contain a hyperlink that, when selected, woulddisplay more detailed information to the user. In this aspect, the usermay use the tabulated summary data to drill down and reveal additionaldetail.

The Distressed tab, in one embodiment, may display a summary of thedistressed shipments by type, as shown in FIG. 9, also displaying thenumber of parcels 200 currently “aging” (i.e., being held in a primarytrap 45) and those parcels 200 “expiring” soon (i.e., where the currenttime is approaching the scheduled release time for the parcel 200).Again, selecting an underlined value activates a hyperlink to displayfurther detail about a particular set. FIG. 10 shows the type ofadditional detail that may be provided by selecting a hyperlink.

Resolution Application 260

Selection of the Resolution tab of the viewer application 250, in oneembodiment, may direct the user to the resolution application 260. Anexemplary display for the resolution application 260 is shown in FIG.11. The display may include a field, such as “Type of Request” fieldshown, for entry of the resolution code 400 selected by the shipper 20.A drop-down menu of options may include the entire list of permissibleresolution codes. Entry of a tracking number or other unique parcelidentifier enables the system 10 to keep data together concerning aparticular parcel 200. The resolution application 260 may also include atype-ahead capability for automatically completing the data in a fieldbased upon known information.

In one embodiment, the carrier 30 and the service provider 50 would alsohave access to the resolution application 260, so the data could beshared throughout the system 10. In use, the resolution application 260may automatically fill certain fields after the user inputs data. Forexample, when a tracking number is entered, the resolution application260 may automatically fill the consignee fields with the existing data;allowing the user to enter changes. In this aspect, the resolutionapplication 260 enables the shipper 20 or its customer center 24 toenter additional information to be transmitted to the carrier 30 alongwith the resolution code 400. While the resolution code 400 may instructthe carrier 30 regarding the next step, the additional informationstored by using the resolution application 260 provides the detailneeded to quickly and accurately resolve the shipment.

While this invention has been described in specific detail withreference to the disclosed embodiments, it will be understood that manyvariations and modifications may be effected without departing from theinvention as described in the appended claims.

1. A cooperative system for resolving a distressed shipment duringtransport, the distressed shipment characterized by one or more parcelsbound for a consignee and rendered undeliverable by an exception event,the cooperative system comprising: at least one shipper of the one ormore parcels; a carrier in communication with the shipper, the carrierto receive the one or more parcels from the shipper, attempt delivery tothe consignee, and record the exception event; and a primary trap forholding the distressed shipment during a finite intervention timewindow, the time window having sufficient duration to allow the shipperto contact the consignee and receive a consignee instruction, thecarrier to complete the transport in accordance with the consigneeinstruction.
 2. The cooperative system of claim 1, further comprising anetwork of communication links between and among the shipper, thecarrier, and the consignee.
 3. The cooperative system of claim 1,wherein the carrier captures the distressed shipment and deposits theshipment into the primary trap.
 4. The cooperative system of claim 1,wherein the cooperative system further comprises: a service provider formonitoring a current delivery status of the one or more parcels,communicating the current delivery status to the shipper and thecarrier, and communicating the consignee instruction to the carrier. 5.The cooperative system of claim 1, wherein the cooperative system isgoverned by an agreement between the shipper and the carrier.
 6. Thecooperative system of claim 5, wherein the carrier completes thetransport in exchange for a capture fee in accordance with theagreement.
 7. The cooperative system of claim 1, further comprising: aviewer application accessible via the Internet by the shipper, thecarrier, and the service provider, the viewer application configured todisplay information concerning the distressed shipment; and a resolutionapplication accessible via the Internet by the shipper, the carrier, andthe service provider, the resolution application in communication withthe viewer application and configured to receive the consigneeinstruction.
 8. An electronic distressed shipments resolution system,each of the distressed shipments comprising one or more parcels renderedtemporarily undeliverable by an exception event while in transit from ashipper to a consignee, the system comprising: a viewer applicationresiding on a central processor, the viewer application configured todisplay a current table of the distressed shipments, the current tablecomprising a list associated with each of the distressed shipments, thelist comprising a unique identifier field; and a resolution applicationresiding on the central processor, in communication with the viewerapplication, the resolution application configured to receive an inputfrom a user selecting a certain distressed shipment from the currenttable, receive a resolution code from the user for the certaindistressed shipment, and store the resolution code in a recordassociated with the certain distressed shipment.
 9. The system of claim8, wherein the resolution application is further configured toelectronically send the record to a carrier in possession of theselected distressed shipment.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein thelist further comprises a capture date field, a capture time field, andan exception code field.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the viewerapplication is further configured to sort the current table in order ofa sort field selected from the fields in the list.
 12. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the user comprises the shipper.
 13. The system of claim8, wherein the resolution code is selected from a plurality ofresolution codes, the resolution code correlated to a consigneeinstruction.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the viewer applicationand the resolution application are configured to communicateelectronically over a network.
 15. The system of claim 8, wherein theresolution application is configured to send the resolution code to thecarrier via the Internet.
 16. The system of claim 8, wherein theresolution application is configured to send the resolution code to thecarrier via the World Wide Web.
 17. The system of claim 8, wherein theresolution application is configured to send the resolution code to thecarrier via electronic mail.
 18. A cooperative system for resolving adistressed shipment during transport, the distressed shipmentcharacterized by one or more parcels rendered undeliverable by anexception event during transport by a carrier from a shipper to aconsignee, the system comprising: wireless handheld device configuredto: detect an exception event, wherein detecting the exception eventcomprises receiving an exception code at a carrier computer system,wherein the (a) wireless handheld device is operated by a driverattempting delivery of a shipment and (b) exception code indicates thatthe shipment is distressed and undeliverable to a consignee, a carriercomputer system configured to: assign a carrier code from a plurality ofcarrier codes, the carrier code correlated to the exception code andindicating that the shipment is distressed and undeliverable to theconsignee, initiate a hold command, wherein the hold command indicatesthat the distressed shipment should be stored in a trap during a finiteintervention time window, and transmit (a) the exception code, (b) thecarrier code, or (c) both to a shipper computer system, and a shippercomputer system configured to: receive input identifying the consignee'sinstructions about the disposition of the distressed shipment, assign aresolution code from a plurality of resolution codes, the resolutioncode correlated to the consignee's instructions, and transmit theresolution code to the carrier computer system.